APSA - Associação Portuguesa de Síndrome de Asperger

What APSA - Associação Portuguesa de Síndrome de Asperger does

APSA - Associação Portuguesa de Síndrome de Asperger is a Portuguese Private Social Solidarity Institution (IPSS) and non-profit founded on November 7, 2003 in Lisbon by a group of parents. It supports people with Asperger's Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1) of all ages and their families across Portugal, delivering a portfolio that spans family counseling (Escutar e Orientar, Tempo de Pais, Encontros APSA), employability programs (Programa Empregabilidade, APSA In Work), school sensitization (Sessões Gaivota), therapeutic and creative workshops (Atelier de Costura, Banda APSA, music atelier), educational support (Escola+Ativa, SABER+), and a structured summer day camp (CAMP'apsa).

The organization operates primarily from Casa Grande in Lisbon's Benfica parish, supplemented by a North Delegation in Matosinhos and remote services delivered via Zoom. There is no proprietary technology product; service delivery is human-led by a team of 12 staff and supported by 4,908 hours of annual volunteer contribution. APSA's revenue model is diversified across IRS tax consignment (NIF 506 596 150), individual donations via IBAN and MBWAY, membership quotas, modest service fees (€120-150/week for CAMP'apsa), Casa Grande space rentals, workshop product sales, and project-based co-funding from INR (Instituto Nacional de Reabilitação) and other government entities. The organization also receives support from foundations (Calouste Gulbenkian, EDP, Millennium bcp) and corporate partners who employ beneficiaries.

APSA holds EQUASS Assurance certification (renewed April 2021–April 2024) and operates the registered "APSA In Work" trademark. Leadership includes President Piedade Ramalho Líbano Monteiro (founder), Executive Director António Hilário David, Technical Director Inês Leitão, and Clinical Psychologist Sofia Serra. The organization has built 83 active partnerships and served approximately 4,960 individuals through the Gaivota program, with major employer placement partners including El Corte Inglés Portugal, Santander Portugal, PLMJ, Padaria Portuguesa, Inditex, and Neobiz.

Name

APSA - Associação Portuguesa de Síndrome de Asperger

Legal name

APSA - Associação Portuguesa de Síndrome de Asperger

Website

https://apsa.org.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

APSA is a Portuguese non-profit IPSS founded in 2003 that supports people with Asperger's Syndrome (Level 1 ASD) and their families nationwide through counseling, employability programs, school sensitization, workshops, and community activities, operating from Casa Grande in Lisbon with a regional delegation in Matosinhos.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKAKAC

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

SECONDARYEDAKAKAD

Autism 1:1 Paraprofessional / Aide Support Services

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Disability social services
• Family counseling programs
• Employability training programs
• Community integration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts donations through IBAN (PT50 0010 0000 4637 6380 0011 3) and MBWAY (961041214). Donations support the operations and programs of APSA.
2. IRS Tax Allocation (Consignação do IRS): Citizens can direct 1% of their IRS to APSA via NIF 506 596 150 at no cost to themselves. This is a key fundraising mechanism for Portuguese non-profits.
3. Membership Fees (Quota de Sócio): Members pay membership fees (quotas). Members with 6 months paid-up membership qualify for reduced rates on programs like CAMP'apsa.
4. Service Fees: Fees charged for services such as CAMP'apsa (120€ per week for members, 150€ for non-members). Sibling discounts of 10% are available.
5. Product Sales: Sale of products from the sewing workshop (Atelier de Costura) and kiosk (Quiosque da Casa), with proceeds supporting the Casa Grande rehabilitation and operations.
6. Space Rental: Rental of spaces at Casa Grande for events (Aluguer de Espaços), providing revenue for the organization.
7. Project Co-funding: APSA receives co-funding from INR (Instituto Nacional de Reabilitação) and other government entities for specific projects such as 'Mais Próximos de Ti', 'Talentos para um Emprego Sustentável', 'Capacitar para a Empregabilidade', 'Autonomia para a Vida Futura', 'Criamos Juntos', 'O Meu Duplo', 'Entre Caminhos', and 'Da Horta à Comunidade'.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

APSA is a non-profit Private Social Solidarity Institution (IPSS) that provides direct support services to people with Asperger's Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1) and their families across Portugal. Its offerings include family counseling and guidance sessions (Escutar e Orientar, Tempo de Pais), employability and job-placement programs (Programa Empregabilidade, APSA In Work), school and workplace sensitization sessions (Sessões Gaivota, Empresa Receptiva), and community activities (workshops, art therapy, music atelier, sewing workshop) delivered primarily through its Casa Grande headquarters in Lisbon.

Product overview

APSA - Associação Portuguesa de Síndrome de Asperger is a non-profit Private Social Solidarity Institution (IPSS) that offers a comprehensive suite of support services for people with Asperger's Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1) and their families. The organization operates primarily through its headquarters, Casa Grande, providing direct services including family counseling (Escutar e Orientar, Tempo de Pais, Encontros APSA), community integration programs (Programa Empregabilidade, Empresa Receptiva, Sessões Gaivota), and various therapeutic and skill-building offerings (APSA Workshops, Vidas com Sentido, Escola+Ativa). The organization also runs specialized projects such as CAMP'apsa (summer camp), the Banda APSA music project, and a sewing workshop, all aimed at promoting social integration and autonomous living for individuals with Asperger's Syndrome.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• APSA In Work: Employability program brand supporting people with Asperger's Syndrome in employment integration. Registered trademark.
• Banda APSA / BAND'APSA
• Casa Grande
• SABER+
• Gaivota

Products and services

• Programa Empregabilidade (Employability Program)

Quantifiable outcome

• 349 members and 83 active partnerships demonstrating community trust and ecosystem reach
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SPMS (Serviços Partilhados do Ministério da Saúde)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2026Partnership for sharing information and knowledge about Asperger's Syndrome through SPMS channels, with the goal of better informing citizens. A joint campaign will launch on February 18, International Day of SA.
• El Corte Inglés PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmploys young people from APSA's employability program. Vitória was placed as an intern and later hired as a professional. Chef from El Corte Inglés conducted cooking workshop at Casa Grande.
• PLMJ - Sociedade de AdvogadoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHired Bernardo Moreira through employabilty program. Provides legal counsel services to APSA under partnership protocol signed January 4, 2011.
• Neobiz - Creative Games StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted two young creatives from APSA: Rui Claro (sound) and Joana Madeira (design) for game development projects.
• Santander PortugalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployed Fábio through the 'Talentos para um Emprego Sustentável' project.
• Padaria PortuguesacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmploys people with autism through APSA programs since 2014. David Rodrigues works in food packaging. Company signed Commitment to Inclusion with ICF.
• InditexminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoão placed at Inditex through the employability program co-funded by INR.
• Pavilhão do ConhecimentominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRafael was placed at Pavilhão do Conhecimento through the employabilty program.
• AccentureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceptive company that received sensititization session about Asperger's Syndrome from APSA President Piedade Líbano Monteiro.
• BluepharmaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted APSA sensitization session at their facilities in Coimbra for employees.
• Valor T (Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployability agency for people with disabilities. APSA is a partner in this initiative that has High Patronage of the Presidency of the Republic.
• Viúva Lamego (Cerâmicas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the 'Entre Caminhos' project where young people created ceramic artworks at the factory. Products included tiles and lamps.
• Câmara Municipal de OeirasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisited APSA in November 2022 to explore synergies for inclusion of people with AS in the municipality.
• CUF TejominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInvited BAND'APSA to perform at a ceremony honoring collaborators with 25 years of service.
• Museu BerardominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner for educational visits as part of projects for young people with AS.
• NHS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPSA was represented at the 44th anniversary celebration of the NHS and participates in discussions about healthcare accessibility.
• PLMJcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership protocol for legal support to APSA. Bernardo Moreira was hired by PLMJ.
• CadIn (Centro de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Infantil)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for organizing events and providing developmental support services for families.
• Cisco CDAN PortugalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvited APSA President to speak at an autism awareness session organized by Cisco's Connected Disability Action Network.
• Pensão Nova GoaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHistoric Lisbon pension hosting a young person from APSA to develop their website as part of the Mentoring project.
• Cáritas Paroquial de BenficaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity organization where APSA youth participate in food bank activities through the Mentoring project.
• UNISBEN (Universidade Intergeracional de Benfica)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in the 'Da Horta à Comunidade' project where young people sell garden products to community members.
• 3rd Police Division of Lisbon Metropolitan Command (PSP Benfica)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolice station that received AS sensitization session as part of the 'Mais Próximos de Ti' project.
• AHP (Associação da Hotelaria de Portugal)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHotel association that partnered during the Employability Exchange, connecting APSA beneficiaries with hospitality employers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Autism-Europe: European-level advocacy and information network for autism; overlapping advocacy and awareness mission with APSA and a vehicle for cross-border best-practice transfer and EU funding access.

Direct peers

• Valor T (Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa): Portuguese employability agency for people with disabilities supported by Santa Casa; APSA has a documented partnership with Valor T, making it a direct functional peer in disability-to-employment placement.
• CADIn - Centro de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Infantil: Portuguese non-profit providing therapeutic and developmental support to children with neurodevelopmental conditions including ASD; existing APSA partner (organizes joint events), serving the same beneficiary pool with overlapping family-services model.
• Instituto de Apoio à Criança: Portuguese non-profit IPSS supporting children and families at risk, including children with neurodevelopmental conditions; shares APSA's family-counseling, advocacy and Lisbon-headquartered IPSS operating model.
• APPDA-Lisboa (Associação Portuguesa de Problemas de Desenvolvimento e Autismo): Portuguese non-profit dedicated to autism spectrum disorders, providing support services to children, adolescents and adults with autism in Lisbon region; directly comparable to APSA's mission, family support and community integration scope.

Broad incumbents

• Autismo España (Confederación Autismo España): National Spanish umbrella for autism associations; comparable to APSA at a federation level and a relevant reference for how a national association can scale advocacy, certification and quality programs.
• National Autistic Society (UK): Large UK charity supporting autistic people with services, training, accreditation and policy advocacy; analogous operating model to APSA at scale and a useful blueprint for service line expansion.
• Fundação LIGA (Portugal): Established Portuguese foundation operating social-solidarity programs; comparable IPSS structure and funding mix (donations, corporate partnerships, project co-funding) used by APSA.

Emerging players

• Fundación Mas Autismo (Spain): Iberian peer focused on autism services; comparable organizational scale and mission, useful regional benchmark even though it does not directly compete in Portugal.

Regional players

• CPCJ - Comissões de Proteção de Crianças e Jovens: Portuguese public commissions for child and youth protection operating locally across municipalities; shared focus on vulnerable children/families and a natural referral network for APSA's family-support services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/379197967672
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apsa-associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-portuguesa-de-s%C3%ADndrome-de-asperger

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about APSA - Associação Portuguesa de Síndrome de Asperger